Back to the Future – How can we rekindle the spirit of 1945?
Author: Localis |
Localis hosted a panel speaking event on the 24th of September at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton.
With speakers:
- Rt Hon John Healey MP; Former Housing Minister and Shadow Health Secretary
- Chris Williamson MP; Shadow Local Government Minister
- Cllr Claire Kober; Leader, London Borough of Haringey
- Chair: John Rentoul; Chief Political Commentator, the Independent on Sunday
The speakers were asked: what can we learn from the post-war optimism of 1945 and, specifically, how would they see that spirit rekindled as part of broader public service reform?
Much to our Chair, John Rentoul’s dismay, our event began with all speakers agreed that the war torn and impoverished backdrop to 1945 Labour Party manifesto was a special case and the implementation of the Government’s social policy reforms a success. However, each speaker different views on how the process by which great adversity can build an even greater public spirit could be repeated.
Chris Williamson MP, the current shadow minister for Communities and Local Government, argued that a similarly strong public spirit could be rekindled by using elements of the Labour 1945 manifesto today, building a public spirit from ?what? the government does and not ?how? it does it. The past Government’s ambition of full employment was described as forming part of the courageous public spirit which could be leant on today. He painted a reminiscent view of the impact of this public spirit in communities of the era, highlighting the Government’s holistic approach to welfare, illustrated by its dedication to the Arts.
For John Healey MP, who has worn many hats in government and in opposition, reigniting the public spirit of 1945 would involve rekindling the ?appetite for change?. What those changes would be, it is not possible to pull from the 1945 manifesto. Rather, a more pragmatic approach is needed, which balances issues of the inequality Britain faces today with an understanding of sensible market intervention. A strong public spirit which can transform ?despair into hope? could carry much needed practical changes through government.
Claire Kober agreed with Healey’s assertion that the ?how? and now that ?what? is what can be taken from the 1945 Labour Government. However, Claire Kober specified what the current day changes need to be and where public spirit needs to be strongest. In particular she argued that we need public spirit to focus around issues of asset inequality and in particular the current housing crisis facing Britain. Although she praised the work of the 1945 manifesto to address this issue, she argued that new solutions are needed for new problems, citing that it is a different world now.
The hashtag for this event was: #localis45